Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Dona Nobis Pacem

Two years ago, Mimi of Mimi Writes began this blog event which has grown by leaps and bounds and now has people around the globe participating, flying our peace globes, each of us posting today for PEACE, sweet, wonderful, pure, peace!

Here's the banner each of us taking part in this great event will be flying today - along with our own personal peace globes as well.

And here are my words for this auspicious day! Written in the hope if even one person reads it and decides to follow suit, it has been successful.

“Let There Be Peace on Earth” –words and music by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson in 1987.

That’s what it says in the United Methodist Hymnal that had belonged to my late aunt –the one whose Hammond organ I acquired when she passed away this past April.

I don’t know why, but I was thinking this was a much more recent song but I suppose the way my mind works these days, something that is 21 years old doesn’t seem that long ago to me I guess.

There is something about this particular song though –I love both the words as well as the melody but it is the idea behind the words that really reach out to me –gives so much impact, I believe.

Let’s look at the words:

“Let there be peace on earth.”How simple a sentence and what a wonderful request that sentence is too.Doesn’t everyone wish that were a reality though? Don’t we all start and end our day with some type of a request along those lines?Whether one is waking up, showering, dressing and getting ready to head off to the world of work, or facing the day with a couple of small children in tow –or especially, if one is in an area torn by war, starvation, slavery, strife of all the terrible types we recognize, wouldn’t that be your opening thought?

And wouldn’t it also be the last thought in your mind, as you drift off to sleep at the end of the day too?

“And let it begin with me.”How simple a statement that is and yet, it is one that few seem able to follow.Whether that peace is something like “No yelling,” or “Stop hitting each other” –whether that be addressed to disciplining children, dealing with the general public in the workplace, or to combatants in the battlefield –if only each of us could say that phrase and have it have a really positive impact.

”Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.” The idea of having peace and quiet –no fighting –no children squabbling, no teens muttering smart aleck comments to parents, teachers, others; no couples grousing about trivial things, money, jealousies, anger and no others stomping through one’s life, taking ownership of things that are not theirs, no people afraid to go outside their homes for fear of being robbed, for fear of being raped, for fear of being maimed in one way or another, no hatred of others because of their skin color, body features, ethnicity, sex, gender or especially because of their faith.Aren’t all those things which so many of us fear could or will possibly bring us harm and which are things that are such basic elements to co-existence that to have them denied, stolen, trampled makes a peaceful existence virtually impossible to attain.

“With God our creator, children all are we.”Regardless of one’s age –infant, child, teen, adult, senior citizen –yes, we are all children and children of God too –regardless what name you call that entity that is the “Higher Power” of life.

“Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.”Once again, such a simple statement and yet, so many who refuse to even try to do that, who feel the need to brutalize others in their attempt to bring happiness into living.

“Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.”Let me show by an example to others, let each person do the same, extend a helping hand, greet people with care, kindness and love –what could it hurt?Better yet, how much could it help?Think of it as each of us taking that one little step in that direction, with the billons of people on this planet, each walking in the same direction of kindness to family, friends, acquaintances and yes, even to perfect strangers as all being the same would leave no time then for plundering others belongings, for brutalities, for killings, for war.

“With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow.”Start small, move forward with each stride being a little longer, reach out, smile, speak, share, understanding will follow.

“To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”See how simple this really could be?Truly, it could happen you know.

“Let there be peace on earth.”What a wonderful, blessed thing this could be.

“And let it begin with ME!”

We all have to do this.Really we do.And there is nothing standing in our way either –if each one does this, does the same thing.

What’s so difficult about that anyway?

Look around at those who are already a part of our lives – children, siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, and friends –each person who enters into our lives, our surroundings and simply remember the Golden Rule – Do Unto Others As We Would Have Others Do Unto Us –and then take action on that.

If someone does something that is offensive, and if we retaliate by being offensive in return, what is the end result?A continuation of the offensive actions, as others become a part of the action and reaction syndrome does nothing but create more struggles, more strife, more hatred.

But, if each of us does something nice, is kind, thoughtful, generous, understanding, caring – thinking along the lines of how each of us would want to be treated and then acting on those thoughts – a simple smile, a light pat on the shoulder, a hug, a helping hand where needed –can eradicate the wrong, the evil, the tragedies that are inflicted by man’s hand on others – and change each little corner of the world in which we live, piece by piece, step by step, day by day into the world we would all be able to see for the glory, the beauty, the awesomeness around us.

Try it!What can be lost by trying anyway?Nothing.

What can be gained?Everything!!!!

And so, today –and everyday –I will try to do my part, to help where I can, to extend a hand in friendship, a word of encouragement whenever possible –and if I fail one day, to come back the next day and try harder to abide by this principle.

Prayers for peace are wonderful and also something that costs nothing to give.But to make those prayers become a reality, each of us must take it one step further and do it –really try one person at a time –to “LET IT BEGIN WITH ME!”

In Peace.

Jeni - just another Nittany Lioness in the hills of central Pennsylvania.

26 comments:

This is an awesome post. I love your banner. I pray for peace on earth but know that it will never come until after satan has been hurled into the fiery pit. At that time the lion will lie down with the lamb and there will be peace on earth.

However, we can all do things to make life more peaceable. We can bite our tongues, do a random act of kindness and be tolerant of others.

Like someone else said, there are so many great thoughts in this post it's hard to know where to begin. This is one of my favorite songs from the days when I was a pastoral musician. The main reason I liked it is because the main message is that creating the environment for peace is everyone's responsibility. Thanks for a great post!

About Me

Graduate of Penn State so I am a Nittany Lioness I guess. Divorced, raised 3 kids to 3 pretty doggone great adults and now I have Alex, Maya and Kurtis to watch them grow and marvel at how such gorgeous little creatures have a link back to this old soul.